First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Oidium hortensiae on Mophead Hydrangea in Korea

Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) Ser., known as mophead hydrangea, is native to Japan and is used as a potted ornamental or is planted for landscaping in gardens worldwide. In May 2011, powdery mildew occurred on potted mophead hydrangea cv. Emerald plants in polyethylene-film-covered greenhouses in Icheon, Korea. Heavily infected plantings were unmarketable, mainly due to purplish red discoloration and crinkling of leaves. Such powdery mildew symptoms on mophead hydrangea in gardens had been often found in Korea since 2001, and the collections (n = 10) were deposited in the Korea University herbarium (KUS). In all cases, there was no trace of chasmothecia formation. Mycelium was effuse on both sides of leaves, young stems, and flower petals. Appressoria were well developed, lobed, and solitary or in opposite pairs. Conidiophores were cylindrical, 70 to 145 × 7.5 to 10 μm, and composed of three to four cells. Foot-cells of conidiophores were straight to sub-straight, cylindric, short, and mostly less than 30 μm long. Conidia produced singly were ellipsoid to oval, 32 to 50 × 14 to 22 μm with a length/width ratio of 1.7 to 2.8, lacked fibrosin bodies, and showed angular/rectangular wrinkling of outer walls. Germ tubes were produced on the perihilar position of conidia. Primary conidia were apically conical, basally rounded to subtruncate, 32 to 42 × 14 to 18 μm, and thus generally smaller than the secondary conidia. The morphological characteristics are consistent with previous descriptions of Oidium hortensiae Jørst. (3,4). To confirm the identification, the complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA from KUS-F25514 was amplified with primers ITS5 and P3 and directly sequenced. The resulting sequence of 694 bp was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. JQ669944). There was no ITS sequence data known from powdery mildews on Hydrangea. Therefore, this is the first sequence of O. hortensiae submitted to GenBank. Nevertheless, a GenBank BLAST search of this sequence showed >99% similarity with those of Oidium spp. recorded on crassulacean hosts (e.g. GenBank Accession Nos. EU185641 ex Sedum, EU185636 ex Echeveria, and EU185639 ex Dudleya) (2), suggesting their close phylogenetic relationship. Pathogenicity was confirmed through inoculation by gently pressing diseased leaves onto leaves of five healthy potted mophead hydrangea cv. Emerald plants. Five noninoculated plants of the same cultivar served as controls. Plants were maintained in a greenhouse at 22 ± 2°C. Inoculated plants developed signs and symptoms after 6 days, whereas the control plants remained healthy. The fungus present on the inoculated plants was morphologically identical to that originally observed on diseased plants, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Occurrence of powdery mildew disease on mophead hydrangea is circumglobal (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew disease caused by O. hortensiae on mophead hydrangea in Korea. Powdery mildew infections in Korea pose a serious threat to the continued production of quality potted mophead hydrangea in polyethylene-film-covered greenhouses. References: (1) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases, Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. Retrieved March 19, 2012, from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/ . (2) B. Henricot. Plant Pathol. 57:779, 2008. (3) A. Schmidt and M. Scholler. Mycotaxon 115:287, 2011. (4) S. Tanda. J. Agric. Sci. Tokyo Univ. Agric. 43:253, 1999.

Validated LC-MS/MS method for the determination of mirodenafil in rat plasma and its application to a comparative pharmacokinetic study of the free base and hydrochloride salt forms of mirodenafil

In this study, the pharmacokinetics of 2 forms of mirodenafil, namely the base form and the hydrochloride salt form, were investigated in rats. The 2 forms were orally administered to rats and the plasma concentrations of mirodenafil were determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The mirodenafil base and hydrochloride salt forms showed similar pharmacokinetic profiles in terms of their maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC). The time to peak concentration (Tmax) of the base form was slightly greater than that of the salt form, but this difference was not statistically significant. These results suggest that the mirodenafil base and hydrochloride forms are pharmacokinetically equivalent in rats, and thus the base form could be used in various mirodenafil formulations as a substitute for the existing mirodenafil hydrochloride form.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Erysiphe heraclei on Dill in Korea

Dill (Anethum graveolens L.) is a scented herb belonging to the family Apiaceae. The plant has a long and ancient history in many countries as a culinary and medicinal herb. In October 2008, plants showing typical symptoms of powdery mildew disease were found in polythene tunnels in Icheon, Korea. Symptoms first appeared as thin white colonies, which subsequently showed abundant growth on the leaves and stems. Most diseased plantings were unmarketable and shriveled without being harvested. The damage caused by powdery mildew infections on dill has reappeared every year, with confirmation of the causal agent made again in 2011. Voucher specimens were deposited in the Korea University Herbarium (KUS). Hyphae were septate, branched, and 4 to 7 μm wide. Appressoria on the mycelium were multilobed or moderately lobed. Conidiophores were unbranched, cylindrical, 80 to 140 × 8 to 10 μm, straight or slightly flexuous in foot cells, and produced conidia singly, followed by two to three cells. Conidia were oblong elliptical to oblong, 28 to 50 × 14 to 18 μm, lacked fibrosin bodies, and produced germ tubes on the subterminal position, with angular/rectangular wrinkling of the outer walls. Primary conidia were apically conical, basally subtruncate, and generally smaller than the secondary conidia. No chasmothecia were found but the above characteristics are consistent with Erysiphe heraclei DC. (1). To confirm the identity of the causal fungus, the complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA from isolate KUS-F26425 was amplified with primers ITS5 and P3 as described by Takamatsu et al. (3) and directly sequenced. The resulting 630-bp sequence was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. JQ517297). Comparison with the sequences available in the GenBank database revealed that the isolate showed >99% sequence similarity with those of E. heraclei from Pleurospermum camtschaticum (GU173850) and Daucus carota (EU371725). Pathogenicity was confirmed through inoculation by gently pressing diseased leaves onto leaves of five healthy potted dill plants. Five noninoculated plants served as controls. Plants were maintained in a greenhouse at 22 ± 2°C. Inoculated plants developed signs and symptoms after 7 days, whereas the control plants remained healthy. The fungus present on the inoculated plants was morphologically identical to that originally observed on diseased plants. Powdery mildew caused by E. heraclei on dill has been known worldwide where the plant is cultivated (2). In East Asia, however, dill powdery mildew was known only from Taiwan (4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew infections by E. heraclei on dill in Korea. Since cultivation of dill was only recently started on a commercial scale in Korea, powdery mildew infections pose a serious threat to safe production of this herb, especially in organic farming where chemical control would be prohibited. References: (1) U. Braun. Beih. Nova Hedw. 89:1, 1987. (2) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases, Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. Retrieved from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/ January 28, 2012. (3) S. Takamatsu et al. Mycol. Res. 113:117, 2009. (4) J. G. Tsay. Trans. Mycol. Soc. Repub. China 5:1, 1990.

First Report of Leaf Spot of Rudbeckia hirta var. pulcherrima Caused by Septoria rudbeckiae in Korea

Rudbeckia hirta L. var. pulcherrima Farw. (synonym R. bicolor Nutt.), known as the black-eyed Susan, is a flowering plant belonging to the family Asteraceae. The plant is native to North America and was introduced to Korea for ornamental purposes in the 1950s. In July 2011, a previously unknown leaf spot was first observed on the plants in a public garden in Namyangju, Korea. Leaf spot symptoms developed from lower leaves as small, blackish brown lesions, which enlarged to 6 mm in diameter. In the later stages of disease development, each lesion was usually surrounded with a yellow halo, detracting from the beauty of the green leaves of the plant. A number of black pycnidia were present in diseased leaf tissue. Later, the disease was observed in several locations in Korea, including Pyeongchang, Hoengseong, and Yangpyeong. Voucher specimens were deposited at the Korea University Herbarium (KUS-F25894 and KUS-F26180). An isolate was obtained from KUS-F26180 and deposited at the Korean Agricultural Culture Collection (Accession No. KACC46694). Pycnidia were amphigenous, but mostly hypogenous, scattered, dark brown-to-rusty brown, globose, embedded in host tissue or partly erumpent, 50 to 80 μm in diameter, with ostioles 15 to 25 μm in diameter. Conidia were substraight to mildly curved, guttulate, hyaline, 25 to 50 × 1.5 to 2.5 μm, and one- to three-septate. Based on the morphological characteristics, the fungus was consistent with Septoria rudbeckiae Ellis & Halst. (1,3,4). Morphological identification of the fungus was confirmed by molecular data. Genomic DNA was extracted using the DNeasy Plant Mini DNA Extraction Kit (Qiagen Inc., Valencia, CA.). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified using the ITS1/ITS4 primers and sequenced. The resulting sequence of 528 bp was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. JQ677043). A BLAST search showed that there was no matching sequence of S. rudbeckiae; therefore, this is the first ITS sequence of the species submitted to GenBank. The ITS sequence showed >99% similarity with those of many Septoria species, indicating their close phylogenetic relationship. Pathogenicity was tested by spraying leaves of three potted young plants with a conidial suspension (2 × 10⁵ conidia/ml), which was harvested from a 4-week-old culture on potato dextrose agar. Control leaves were sprayed with sterile water. The plants were covered with plastic bags to maintain 100% relative humidity (RH) for the first 24 h. Plants were then maintained in a greenhouse (22 to 28°C and 70 to 80% RH). After 5 days, leaf spot symptoms identical to those observed in the field started to develop on the leaves inoculated with the fungus. No symptoms were observed on control plants. S. rudbeckiae was reisolated from the lesions of inoculated plants, confirming Koch's postulates. A leaf spot disease associated with S. rudbeckiae has been reported on several species of Rudbeckia in the United States, Romania, and Bulgaria (1-4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf spot on R. hirta var. pulcherrima caused by S. rudbeckiae in Korea. References: (1) J. B. Ellis and B. D. Halsted. J. Mycol. 6:33, 1890. (2) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. Retrieved from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/ February 2, 2012. (3) E. Radulescu et al. Septoriozele din Romania. Ed. Acad. Rep. Soc. Romania, Bucuresti, Romania, 1973. (4) S. G. Vanev et al. Fungi Bulgaricae 3:1, 1997.

First Report of Zonate Leaf Spot of Glycine max Caused by Cristulariella moricola in Korea

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is native to East Asia including Korea and is widely grown and consumed as an edible seed. In August 2011, following a prolonged period of cool and moist weather, zonate leaf spots were observed in local soybean (cultivar unknown) planted in a mountainous area of Goseong, central Korea. A voucher specimen was collected and entered at the Korea University herbarium (KUS-F26049). Initial symptoms included grayish green-to-grayish brown spots without border lines. As the lesions enlarged, they coalesced, leading to leaf blight and premature defoliation. Sporophores on the leaf lesions were dominantly hypophyllous, rarely epiphyllous, solitary, erect, easily detachable, and as long as 750 μm. The upper portion of the sporophores consisted of a pyramidal head that was ventricose, 275 to 500 μm long, and 80 to 160 μm wide. The fungus was isolated from leaf lesions and maintained on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Sclerotia were produced on PDA after 4 to 5 weeks at 18°C without light, but conidia were not observed in culture. The morphological and cultural characteristics were consistent with those of Cristulariella moricola (Hino) Redhead (2,3). An isolate was preserved in the Korean Agricultural Culture Collection (KACC46401). Genomic DNA was extracted with the DNeasy Plant Mini DNA Extraction Kit (Qiagen Inc., Valencia, CA). The complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified with the primers ITS1/ITS4 and sequenced. The resulting sequence of 453 bp was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. JQ036182). A BLAST search in GenBank revealed that the sequence showed an exact match with that of C. moricola from Acer negundo (JQ036181) and >99% similarity with that of Grovesinia pyramidalis, teleomorph of C. moricola from Juglans sp. (Z81433). To determine the pathogenicity of the fungus, sporophores with the pyramidal head were carefully detached from a lesion on the naturally infected leaflet with fine needles. Each sporophore was transferred individually onto four places of six detached healthy soybean leaflets. The leaflets were placed in humid chambers at 100% relative humidity and incubated at 16 to 20°C (4). Symptoms were observed after 2 days on all inoculated leaflets (one to four lesions/leaflet). The lesions enlarged rapidly and reached ~20 mm diameter in a week. A number of sporulating structures and immature sclerotia were formed on the abaxial surface of the leaf 2 weeks after inoculation. The pathogen was reisolated from lesions on the inoculated leaflets, confirming Koch's postulates. No symptoms were observed on the control leaflets kept in humid chambers for 2 weeks. C. moricola was known to cause zonate leaf spots and defoliation on a wide range of woody and annual plants (1), but not on G. max. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Cristulariella infection in cultivated soybeans. Since the infections may be limited to the mountainous area with low night temperature and high humidity, economic losses seem to be negligible. However, the disease could be a potential threat to the safe production of soybeans in areas with prolonged periods of cool and moist weather. References: (1) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. Retrieved from http://nt.arsgrin.gov/fungaldatabases/ , January 7, 2012. (2) H. B. Lee and C. J. Kim. Plant Dis. 86:440, 2002. (3) S. A. Redhead. Can. J. Bot. 53:700, 1975. (4) H. J. Su and S. C. Leu. Plant Dis. 67:915, 1983.

First Report of Brown Spot Needle Blight on Pinus thunbergii Caused by Lecanosticta acicola in Korea

Pinus thunbergii Parl., known as black pine, is a pine native to coastal areas of Japan and Korea. Because of its resistance to pollution and salt, it is planted as windbreakers along the coast. In March 2010, needle blight symptoms were found on several trees of black pine in Naju, southern Korea. Further surveys in 2010 and 2011 showed that these symptoms are rather common but disease incidence is less than 1%. Small, circular grayish green spots first appeared on the needles. The spots developed into brown bands reaching 1 to 2 mm long, sometimes with yellow margins. Dark olivaceous to dark grayish stromata were erumpent and conspicuous on the brown lesions in the later stage of disease development. Conidiophores were simple or occasionally branched, 1- to 2-septate, pale brown to olivaceous brown, and smooth walled. Conidia (n = 30) were olivaceous brown to grayish brown, verrucose, thick-walled, mildly curved, allantoid to fusiform, one- to five-septate (mostly three-septate), and 20 to 45 × 3.5 to 5 μm. Morphological characteristics of the fungus were consistent with those of Lecanosticta acicola (Thüm.) Syd. (anamorph of Mycosphaerella dearnessii M.E. Barr), previously known as the causal agent of brown spot needle blight of pines (2,4). The teleomorph was not observed. On potato dextrose agar, single-spore cultures of three isolates were obtained from conidia sporulating on needles. An isolate was preserved at the Korean Agricultural Culture Collection (Accession No. KACC44982). Genomic DNA was extracted using the DNeasy Plant Mini DNA Extraction Kit (Qiagen Inc., Valencia, CA) and the complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified and sequenced with the primers ITS1/ITS4. The resulting ITS sequence of 543 bp was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. JQ245448). A GenBank BLAST search produced an exact match for the sequences of M. dearnessii (= L. acicola) on P. mugo Tura from Lithuania (HM367708) and P. radiata D. Don from France (GU214663), with 100% sequence similarity. To conduct a pathogenicity test, a conidial suspension (approx. 2 × 10⁵ conidia/ml) was prepared by harvesting conidia from 5-week-old cultures of KACC44982 and sprayed onto the needles of five 3-year-old healthy seedlings. Five noninoculated seedlings of the same age served as controls. Inoculated and noninoculated plants were kept in humid chambers for 48 h in a glasshouse. After 28 days, typical leaf spot symptoms started to develop on the needles of inoculated plants. The fungus, L. acicola, was reisolated from those lesions, confirming Koch's postulates. No symptoms were observed on control plants. The disease has been previously reported on several species of Pinus in the Americas (1) and recently in China (3), Japan (4), and Europe (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of the Lecanosticta-Pinus association in Korea. Occurrence of the disease in Korea is a new threat to the health of black pine, especially in nursery plots. References: (1) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. Retrieved from http://nt.arsgrin.gov/fungaldatabases/ December 2011. (2) L. Jankovsky et al. Plant Protect. Sci. 45:16, 2009. (3) C. Li et al. J. Nanjing Inst. For. 1986:11, 1986. (4) Y. Suto and D. Ougi. Mycoscience 39:319, 1998.

Diagnosis and control measures of the 2010 outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease A type in the Republic of Korea

In January 2010, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) occurred for the first time in 8 years in Korea. The outbreaks were because of A serotype, different from the O type, which had occurred previously in 2000 and 2002. The FMD outbreaks were identified in seven farms, consisting of six cattle farms where viruses were detected and one deer farm where only FMDV antibody was detected. The seven farms were within 9.3 km of each other. All susceptible animals within 10 km radius of the outbreak farms were placed under movement restrictions for 3-11 weeks. No vaccination took place to facilitate the clinical observation of infected animals and virus detection. After clinical observations and serological tests within the control zones showed no evidence of FMD infection, the movement restrictions were lifted, followed by FMD-free declaration (23 March) at 80 days after the first outbreak on 2 January. This communication describes the outbreak of FMD A serotype, and control measures applied to eradicate the disease in Korea.

Growth disturbance after lengthening of the lower limb and quantitative assessment of physeal closure in skeletally immature patients with achondroplasia

This study evaluated the effect of limb lengthening on longitudinal growth in patients with achondroplasia. Growth of the lower extremity was assessed retrospectively by serial radiographs in 35 skeletally immature patients with achondroplasia who underwent bilateral limb lengthening (Group 1), and in 12 skeletally immature patients with achondroplasia who did not (Group 2). In Group 1, 23 patients underwent only tibial lengthening (Group 1a) and 12 patients underwent tibial and femoral lengthening sequentially (Group 1b). The mean lengthening in the tibia was 9.2 cm (59.5%) in Group 1a, and 9.0 cm (58.2%) in the tibia and 10.2 cm (54.3%) in the femur in Group 1b. The mean follow-up was 9.3 years (8.6 to 10.3). The final mean total length of lower extremity in Group 1a was 526.6 mm (501.3 to 552.9) at the time of skeletal maturity and 610.1 mm (577.6 to 638.6) in Group 1b, compared with 457.0 mm (411.7 to 502.3) in Group 2. However, the mean actual length, representing the length solely grown from the physis without the length of distraction, showed that there was a significant disturbance of growth after limb lengthening. In Group 1a, a mean decrease of 22.4 mm (21.3 to 23.1) (4.9%) was observed in the actual limb length when compared with Group 2, and a greater mean decrease of 38.9 mm (37.2 to 40.8) (8.5%) was observed in Group 1b when compared with Group 2 at skeletal maturity. In Group 1, the mean actual limb length was 16.5 mm (15.8 to 17.2) (3.6%) shorter in Group 1b when compared with Group 1a at the time of skeletal maturity. Premature physeal closure was seen mostly in the proximal tibia and the distal femur with relative preservation of proximal femur and distal tibia. We suggest that significant disturbance of growth can occur after extensive limb lengthening in patients with achondroplasia, and therefore, this should be included in pre-operative counselling of these patients and their parents.

Effects of dietary combination of n-3 and n-9 fatty acids on the deposition of linoleic and arachidonic acid in broiler chicken meats

To minimize the amount of n-6 fatty acids in broiler chicken meat, 120 Cobb × Ross male broilers were divided into 6 different groups and fed a basal corn-soybean meal diet containing 5% fat from 5 different lipid sources: 1) a commercial mix of animal and vegetable oil, 2) soybean oil and olive oil (2.5% each), 3) flaxseed oil and olive oil (2.5% each), 4) flaxseed oil, eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5; EPA; n-3), and olive oil (2.45, 0.05, and 2.5% respectively; FEO), 5) flaxseed oil, docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6; DHA; n-3), and olive oil (2.45, 0.05, and 2.5% respectively; FDO), and 6) fish oil and olive oil (2.5% each; FHO). At 6 and 9 wk, one bird per pen (4 pens per treatment) was processed, and liver, breast, and thigh samples were collected and used for fatty acid profiles or Δ6- and Δ9-desaturase mRNA gene expression levels. The deposition of linoleic acid (C18:2; n-6) or arachidonic acid (C20:4; n-6) was decreased in breast and thigh muscles of chickens fed n-3 fatty acids for 9 wk compared with chickens fed animal and vegetable oil and soybean oil and olive oil diets (P < 0.05). The addition of EPA to the diet (FEO; P > 0.05) did not reduce the deposition of linoleic acid and arachidonic acid as much as DHA (FDO; P < 0.05), and it suppressed the expression of Δ6- and Δ9-desaturase. When EPA and DHA were blended (FHO) and supplied to broiler chickens for 9 wk, EPA and DHA combination effects were observed on the deposition of LA and arachidonic acid in breast and thigh muscles. Thereby, the addition of a mixed EPA and DHA to a broiler chicken diet may be recommendable to reduce arachidonic acid accumulation in both broiler chicken breast and thigh meats, providing a functional broiler chicken meat to consumers.

Growth of Ovarian Primary Follicles Retrieved from Neonates of Different Ages and Derivation of Mature Oocytes Following In vitro-Culture

This study was conducted to improve the yield of mature oocytes from in vitro-culture of ovarian primary follicles by optimizing follicle retrieval from neonatal mice of different ages. Primary follicles of 75 to 99 μm in diameter were collected daily from 7- to 14-day-old neonatal mice, and subsequently cultured in α-MEM medium. Number of primary follicles isolated, growth of the follicle during in vitro-culture and maturation of intrafollicular oocytes were monitored. Overall, mean number of preantral follicles per animal was improved from 10.7 to 88.7 as the age of follicle donors was increased from 7 to 14-day-old. Number of primary follicles was increased gradually up to 11-day-old (35.7 follicle per an animal), then reduced to 29 in 14-day-old (p = 0.0013). More follicles retrieved from 10-day-old or 11-day-old females maintained their morphological normality at the end of primary culture than the follicles retrieved from 9-day-old. Of those cultured, primary follicles retrieved from 11-day-old mice yielded largest larger number of early secondary follicles than the follicles retrieved from in the other ages (39 vs. 13 to 29%). More than 3.3-times increase (0.86 to 2.86; p<0.05) in an average number of mature oocytes per animal was observed in the group of 11-day-old, compared with 9-day-old. However, no difference was found in the percentage of primary follicles developing into the pseudoantral stage (21 to 30%; p = 0.5222) and in the percentage of oocytes mucified (32 to 39%; p = 0.5792). In conclusion, a positive correlation between retrieval time and follicle growth was detected, which influences the efficiency to derive mature oocytes by follicle culture.

First Report of Corynespora Leaf Spot on Ailanthus altissima Caused by Corynespora cassiicola in Korea

Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle, known as tree-of-heaven, is a deciduous tree belonging to the family Simaroubaceae, which is native to both northeast and central China and Taiwan. The trees often have the ability to replace indigenous plants and disrupt native ecosystems (3). In August 2010, a leaf spot disease was observed on young trees in Yangpyeong, Korea. Field observation in 2010 and 2011 showed that infections are common on 1- or 2-year-old trees. Adult trees were rarely infected. Symptoms usually started at the margin of leaves and expanded into irregular, dark brown leaf spots, eventually causing significant premature defoliation. Representative samples were deposited in the herbarium of Korea University (KUS-F25174 and -F25304). Conidiophores of fungi observed microscopically on the leaf spots were erect, brown to dark brown, single or occasionally in clusters, 80 to 550 × 5 to 8 μm, and mostly arose on the abaxial surface of symptomatic leaves. Conidia were borne singly or in short chains of two to four, ranging from cylindrical to broadest at the base and tapering apically, straight to slightly curved, pale olivaceous brown, 3 to 18 pseudoseptate, 70 to 450 × 8 to 22 μm, each with a conspicuous thickened hilum. On potato dextrose agar, single-spore cultures of five isolates were identified as Corynespora cassiicola (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) C.T. Wei on the basis of morphological and cultural characteristics (1,4). A monoconidial isolate was preserved at the Korean Agricultural Culture Collection (Accession No. KACC45510). Genomic DNA was extracted with the DNeasy Plant Mini DNA Extraction Kit (Qiagen Inc., Valencia, CA). The complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified with the primers ITS1/ITS4 and sequenced with an ABI Prism 337 automatic DNA sequencer (Applied Biosystems, Foster, CA). The resulting sequence of 548 bp was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. JN974462). The sequence showed >99% similarity (1-bp substitution) with a sequence of C. cassiicola from Ipomoea batatas (GenBank Accession No. FJ852716). To conduct a pathogenicity test, a conidial suspension (~2 × 10⁴ conidia/ml) was prepared by harvesting conidia from 2-week-old cultures of KACC45510 and the suspension sprayed onto the leaves of three healthy seedlings. Three noninoculated seedlings served as control plants. Inoculated and noninoculated plants were kept in humid chambers for 48 h in a glasshouse. After 5 days, typical leaf spot symptoms started to develop on the leaves of all three inoculated plants. C. cassiicola was reisolated from the lesions, confirming Koch's postulates. No symptoms were observed on control plants. C. cassiicola is cosmopolitan with a very wide host range (2). To our knowledge, C. cassiicola has not been reported on A. altissima anywhere in the world. According to field observations in Korea, Corynespora leaf spot was most severe in August and September, especially following a prolonged period of moist weather. C. cassiicola may be a potential biocontrol agent for this highly invasive tree species. References: (1) M. B. Ellis. Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. Commonwealth Mycological Institute: Kew, Surrey, England, 1971. (2) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA, Retrieved from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabes/ , October 28, 2011. (3) L. B. Knapp and C. D. Canham. J. Torrey Bot. Soc. 127:307, 2000. (4) J. H. Kwon et al. Plant Pathol. J. 17:180, 2001.

First Report of Downy Mildew of Spider Flower Caused by a Hyaloperonospora sp. in Korea

Spider flower, Tarenaya hassleriana (Chodat) H. H. Iltis (synonym Cleome hassleriana; C. spinosa), which is native to South America, is now cultivated as an ornamental plant worldwide. In Korea, this plant has recently become popular in gardens and parks because of its beautiful flowers. During July 2010, plants showing typical symptoms of downy mildew were observed in public gardens along the lakeside in Ganghwa, South Korea. Infection resulted in chlorotic areas on the leaves with a white mildew developing on the abaxial surface and finally leading to necrosis of the lesions. Representative samples of infected leaves were deposited at the herbarium of Korea University, Seoul, Korea (KUS-F25091 and F25462). Microscopic examination of fresh material was performed under a light microscope. Conidiophores emerging from stomata were hyaline, 250 to 650 × 10 to 15 μm, straight, and monopodially branched in five to eight orders. Ultimate branchlets were mostly in pairs, flexuous to sigmoid, 15 to 30 μm long, and had obtuse or subtruncate tips. Conidia were hyaline, subglobose, and measured 23 to 26.5 × 21 to 24 μm with a length/width ratio (L/W) of 1.05 to 1.15. Up to now, the downy mildew pathogen of the spider flower has been considered to be Hyaloperonospora parasitica, Peronospora capparidis or P. cleomes, but the latter two names were considered as synonyms of the former (1). In the current study, the spider flower pathogen was morphologically distinct from H. parasitica; in the Korean specimen, conidia were subglobose with a low L/W value, while in H. parasitica sensu stricto, originated from Capsella bursa-pastoris, conidia were broadly ellipsoidal and measured 22.5 to 26.5 × 18 to 21.5 μm with a L/W ratio of 1.17 to 1.31 (1). To confirm this morphological difference, the amplification and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA of the Korean specimen were performed using procedures outlined by Göker et al. (3). The resulting 874-bp sequence of the region was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. JQ301468). A comparison with the ITS sequences available in the GenBank database revealed that the Korean accession exhibits a high dissimilarity of approximately 11% (99 of 882 characters are different) from that of H. parasitica from C. bursa-pastoris (AY210987). On the basis of morphological and molecular data, the spider flower pathogen found in Korea was clearly distinct from H. parasitica. Therefore, we provisionally indicate this pathogen as a Hyaloperonospora sp. To our knowledge, there is no previous record of a downy mildew on spider flower in Asia, although this disease has been previously recorded in Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, the United States, and Venezuela (2). The presence of a downy mildew on spider flower in Asia can be considered a potentially new and serious threat to this ornamental plant. References: (1) O. Constantinescu and J. Fatehi. Nova Hedwigia 74:291, 2002. (2) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. Retrieved from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/ , December 13, 2011. (3) M. Göker et al. Mycol. Res. 113:308, 2009.

First Asian Report of Leaf Spot of Ambrosia trifida Caused by Septoria epambrosiae

Ambrosia trifida L., known as giant ragweed, is native to North America and was introduced in Korea in the 1970s (4). It is now widely naturalized, and since 1999, has been designated as one of 11 most 'harmful nonindigenous plants' by the Korean Ministry of Environment because of its adverse effects on native plants. Various strategies to eradicate this noxious weed have been unsuccessful (4). In June 2008, leaf spot symptoms on this weed were found in Inje, Korea. Hundreds of giant ragweed growing along stream banks contained leaf spots with leaf yellowing and premature defoliation. Leaf lesions were 1 to 5 mm in diameter, angular to irregular, dark brown without a distinct margin, later becoming pallid with a brown margin. Between 2008 and 2011, the authors observed the same symptoms in Dongducheon, Yangku, Namyangju, and Pocheon, Korea. Voucher specimens have been housed in the herbarium of Korea University. Numerous black pycnidia were formed on the lesion. Pycnidia were amphigenous, globose, dark brown, ostiolate, and measured 80 to 130 μm in diameter. Conidia were filiform, straight to mildly curved, eguttulate, hyaline, 18 to 36 × 1.5 to 2.5 μm, one to three septate, subtruncate at the base, and tapering to a rounded apex. Single-conidial isolations onto potato dextrose agar formed dark grayish colonies. Pycnidia matured after 5 weeks when plates were incubated under fluorescent illumination for 12-h photoperiods at 25°C. On the basis of morphological and cultural characteristics, the fungus was identified as Septoria epambrosiae D.F. Farr (2). Three isolates were deposited in the Korean Agricultural Culture Collection (KACC). Preliminary morphological identification of the fungal isolates was confirmed by molecular data. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified using the ITS1/ITS4 primers and sequenced. The resulting sequences of 449 bp obtained from the three isolates were identical to each other. They showed 100% similarity when compared with a sequence of S. epambrosiae (GenBank No. AF279582). The nucleotide sequence of a representative isolate (KACC43850) was deposited in GenBank (No. JN695498). Pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculating the leaves of three seedlings with a conidial suspension (~2 × 10⁵ conidia/ml). Three noninoculated seedlings served as controls. Plants were maintained in a glasshouse at 100% relative humidity for 48 h. After 6 days, typical leaf spots, identical to the one observed in the field, started to develop on the leaves of the inoculated plants. No symptoms were observed on the control plants. The fungus was successfully reisolated from the symptomatic plants, fulfilling Koch's postulates. A leaf spot disease associated with S. epambrosiae has previously been recorded on A. artemisiifolia in Hungary (1-3) and A. trifida in North America (2,3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. epambrosiae on giant ragweed in Asia. Because of its potential as a biocontrol agent, further studies are needed. References: (1) G. Bohar and I. Schwarczinger. Plant Dis. 83:696, 1999. (2) D. F. Farr and L. A. Castlebury. Sydowia 53:81, 2001. (3) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. Retrieved from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/ , September 20, 2011. (4) S. M. Oh et al. Impacts of Invasive Alien Weeds and Control Strategies of Noxious Weeds in Korea. National Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, Suwon, Korea, 2007.

First Report of Leaf Blight and Stem Canker of Pachysandra terminalis Caused by Pseudonectria pachysandricola in Korea

Pachysandra terminalis Siebold & Zucc., known as Japanese pachysandra, is a creeping evergreen perennial belonging to the family Buxaceae. In April 2011, hundreds of plants showing symptoms of leaf blight and stem canker with nearly 100% incidence were found in a private garden in Suwon, Korea. Plants with the same symptoms were found in Seoul in May and Hongcheon in August. Affected leaves contained tan-to-yellow brown blotches. Stem and stolon cankers first appeared as water soaked and developed into necrotic lesions. Sporodochia were solitary, erumpent, circular, 50 to 150 μm in diameter, salmon-colored, pink-orange when wet, and with or without setae. Setae were hyaline, acicular, 60 to 100 μm long, and had a base that was 4 to 6 μm wide. Conidiophores were in a dense fascicle, not branched, hyaline, aseptate or uniseptate, and 8 to 20 × 2 to 3.5 μm. Conidia were long, ellipsoid to cylindric, fusiform, rounded at the apex, subtruncate at the base, straight to slightly bent, guttulate, hyaline, aseptate, 11 to 26 × 2.5 to 4.0 μm. A single-conidial isolate formed cream-colored colonies that turned into salmon-colored colonies on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Morphological and cultural characteristics of the fungus were consistent with previous reports of Pseudonectria pachysandricola B.O. Dodge (1,3,4). Voucher specimens were housed at Korea University (KUS). Two isolates, KACC46110 (ex KUS-F25663) and KACC46111 (ex KUS-F25683), were accessioned in the Korean Agricultural Culture Collection. Fungal DNA was extracted with DNeasy Plant Mini DNA Extraction Kits (Qiagen Inc., Valencia, CA). The complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified with the primers ITS1/ITS4 and sequenced using ABI Prism 337 automatic DNA sequencer (Applied Biosystems, Foster, CA). The resulting sequence of 487 bp was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. JN797821). This showed 100% similarity with a sequence of P. pachysandricola from the United States (HQ897807). Isolate KACC46110 was used in pathogenicity tests. Inoculum was prepared by harvesting conidia from 2-week-old cultures on PDA. Ten young leaves wounded with needles were sprayed with conidial suspensions (~1 × 10⁶ conidia/ml). Ten young leaves that served as the control were treated with sterile distilled water. Plants were covered with plastic bags to maintain a relative humidity of 100% at 25 ± 2°C for 24 h. Typical symptoms of brown spots appeared on the inoculated leaves 4 days after inoculation and were identical to the ones observed in the field. P. pachysandricola was reisolated from 10 symptomatic leaf tissues, confirming Koch's postulates. No symptoms were observed on control plants. Previously, the disease was reported in the United States, Britain, Japan, and the Czech Republic (2,3), but not in Korea. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. pachysandricola on Pachysandra terminalis in Korea. Since this plant is popular and widely planted in Korea, this disease could cause significant damage to nurseries and the landscape. References: (1) B. O. Dodge. Mycologia 36:532, 1944. (2) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. Retrieved from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/ , September 24, 2011. (3) I. Safrankova. Plant Prot. Sci. 43:10, 2007. (4) W. A. Sinclair and H. H. Lyon. Disease of Trees and Shrubs. 2nd ed. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY, 2005.

Perioperative Assessment of Terlipressin Infusion during Living Donor Liver Transplantation

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety and efficacy of infusion of terlipressin during living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). METHODS: Patients undergoing LDLT with low systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) and pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI) ( n = 41) were randomly allocated into control ( n = 20) and terlipressin groups ( n = 21). Terlipressin was infused at 1.0 – 4.0 μg/kg per h in the terlipressin group during surgery. Controls received generally accepted inotropic and vasopressor agents. RESULTS: Terlipressin infusion induced significantly higher SVRI and PVRI at 60 min after drug infusion, produced significantly greater hourly urine output during the anhepatic phase, and was related to significantly shorter stays in the postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) compared with control treatment (mean ± SD ICU stay 5.7 ± 1.5 versus 6.9 ± 1.5 days, respectively). Patients given a terlipressin infusion > 2.0 μg/kg per h during the preanhepatic phase had a median ICU stay of < 6 days (sensitivity 90.0%; specificity 89.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Terlipressin infusion improved low SVRI and PVRI during LDLT and may have contributed to better renal function and shorter ICU stays.

Is asymptomatic hemorrhagic transformation really innocuous?

OBJECTIVES

Asymptomatic hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is not associated with immediate deterioration of patients with acute ischemic stroke. However, it is unclear whether it is clinically innocuous with respect to long-term outcome. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of asymptomatic HT on 3-month outcome.

METHODS

A consecutive series of 1,618 patients, hospitalized between January 2004 and August 2007 for ischemic stroke within 7 days from symptom onset were identified in a prospective stroke registry database. Those who had no evidence of acute cerebral ischemia on diffusion-weighted MRI, who did not undergo T2-weighted gradient echo MRI, whose modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 months after stroke onset was not available, or who had symptomatic HT were excluded. The odds ratio (OR) of asymptomatic HT was calculated for the full distribution of mRS score and adjusted for variables with p < 0.25 with respect to their associations with asymptomatic HT or functional outcome.

RESULTS

Of 1,412 patients eligible for the study, 100 (7.1%) had asymptomatic HT. Patients who experienced asymptomatic HT were more likely to have cardioembolic stroke, to receive thrombolytic therapy, to receive anticoagulation with heparin, and to have a higher initial NIH Stroke Scale score. The crude and adjusted ORs of asymptomatic HT for an increment of mRS score at 3 months were 2.94 (95% confidence interval 2.05-4.24) and 1.90 (1.27-2.82), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that the odds of a worse outcome are increased by a factor of 2 in patients with asymptomatic HT compared with those without HT after acute ischemic stroke.

P4-11-20: Observational Study of Body Weight Changes and Metabolic Syndrome in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Adjuvant Therapy: Characteristics of Dietary Pattern in Korean Breast Cancer Patients

Backgroud: Obesity, postdiagnosis weight gain, and presence of metabolic syndrome in breast cancer are reported to adversely affect survival among breast cancer survivors. Most of the studies on weight gain and metabolic syndrome in breast cancer are from Western countries and few information is available on Asian population. We designed this prospective observational study to characterize weight and metabolic changes during adjuvant treatment in women with early breast cancer and to identify factors associated with occurrence of metabolic syndrome, focusing on dietary pattern.

Methods: Patients aged 18–75 who underwent curative surgery with stage I-III invasive breast cancer were enrolled from 2008 to 2010. We measured glucose (FBS), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride (TG) level in fasting serum samples before starting adjuvant therapy, at 6 months and 12 months after enrollment. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat mass, and percent body fat at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months were also measured. Dietary intake was assessed using valid semi-quantitative Food frequency questionnaire (FFQ).

Results: Total of 63 patients were enrolled. Median age of the enrolled patients were 48 (range, 25–68), with premenopausal/postmenopausal 40 (63.5%)/ 23 (36.5%). Fifty (82.0%) and 10 (16.4%) received adjuvant chemotherapy followed by hormone therapy and hormone therapy alone. Hormone receptor positive (ER+/PR+) and HER2 positive cancer accounted for 52 (83.9%) and 7 (12.1%). Mean FBS, HbA1c, TC, HDL, and TG level was 99.9 mg/dL (range, 83–159), 5.59 mg/dL (range, 4.8−7.5), 197.4 mg/dL (125-298), 51.9 mg/dL (range, 30–90), and 119.7 mg/dL (42-371). Mean height, weight, and BMI was 158 cm (range, 149–169), 61.7kg (range, 46.2−96.0), and 24.7 kg/m2 (range, 18.7−35.7), respectively. According to the WHO and NTH guidelines for Asian, normal (BMI 18.5−22.9), overweight (BMI 23–24.9), and obesity (BMI≥25) was 18 (28.6%), 13 (20.6%), and 32 (50.8%), respectively. Number of patients with metabolic syndrome was 18 (34%). Mean BMI (26.1 vs 24.0, p=0.021) and TG (180.6 vs 92.0, p&lt;0.001) was higher, HDL cholesterol was lower (42.2 vs 57.3, p&lt;0.001) in patients with metabolic syndrome. Composition of daily calorie intake consisted of 13.5% (range 10.7−21.8) of protein, 6.7% (range, 3.3−22.1) of fat, and 70.1% (range, 28.1−79.5) of carbohydrate. The presence of metabolic syndrome was associated with a higher carbohydrate intake (carbohydrate intake per ideal body weight&gt;6.0) (p=0.071). The TG level of patients who indigested high carbohydrate was significantly higher (143.8 vs 102.9, p=0.023). The HDL level of patients who took high fat diet (&gt;20% of total calorie) was lower (45.3 vs 53.5, p=0.045).

Conclusion: In our cohort of Korean breast cancer patients, 34% had metabolic syndrome at baseline. Those patients with metabolic syndrome consumed higher proportion of carbohydrate, which resulted in significantly higher level of TG. Our data suggest that composition of calorie intake is different in Asian population compared to Western countries, warranting for reappraisal on the recommendation on life style modification and diet.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-11-20.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Golovinomyces ambrosiae on Ambrosia trifida in Korea

Ambrosia trifida L., commonly known as giant ragweed, is native to North America and was introduced to Korea in the 1970s (3). It is now widely naturalized, and since 1999, has been designated as one of 11 'harmful nonindigenous plants' by the Korean Ministry of Environment because of its adverse effects on native plants. Various strategies to eradicate this noxious weed have been tried without any success (3). In September 2009, powdery mildew infections of giant ragweed were found for the first time in Dongducheon, Korea, and specimens were isolated and deposited in the Korea University Herbarium (KUS-F24683). White mycelial and conidial growth was present mostly on adaxial leaf surfaces with sparse growth on abaxial leaf sides. Severely infected leaves were malformed. Slight purplish discoloration occurred on the leaves contiguous with colony growth. Mycelial colonies were conspicuous, amphigenous, and epiphytic with indistinct to nipple-shaped appressoria. Conidiophores were 80 to 180 μm long and produced two to five immature conidia in chains. Conidia were ellipsoid or doliiform, 28 to 38 × 16 to 24 μm, and lacked distinct fibrosin bodies. Chasmothecia were amphigenous, scattered or partly clustered, dark brown, spherical, 95 to 130 μm in diameter, and contained 6 to 16 asci. Appendages were mycelioid, numbering 10 to 24 per chasmothecium, 0.5 to 2.5 times as long as the chasmothecial diameter, 1 to 4 septate, and were brown at the base and becoming paler toward the tip. Asci were short stalked, 50 to 75 × 32 to 42 μm and contained two spores. Ascospores were ellipsoid-ovoid with a dimension of 22 to 30 × 15 to 18 μm. On the basis of these morphological characteristics, this fungus was identified as Golovinomyces ambrosiae (Schwein.) U. Braun & R.T.A. Cook (= G. cichoracearum var. latisporus (U. Braun) U. Braun) (1). To confirm the identification, the complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA from KUS-F24683 was amplified with the primers ITS5 and P3 and sequenced (4). The resulting sequence of 508 bp was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. JF907589) and was identical to the ITS sequences of G. ambropsiae on A. artemisiifolia var. elatior from Japan (AB077631) and Korea (JF919680) as well as on A. trifida from the United States (AF011292). Therefore, the sequence analysis verified the pathogen to be G. ambrosiae. To our knowledge, this is the first record of powdery mildew infections on giant ragweed outside of North America (2). Although the disease incidence is still low, the disease could be a limiting factor to suppress the expansion of this noxious weed in Korea. References: (1) U. Braun and R. T. A. Cook. Mycol. Res. 113:616, 2009. (2) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. Retrieved from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/ , May 5, 2011. (3) S. M. Oh et al. Impacts of Invasive Alien Weeds and Control Strategies of Noxious Weeds in Korea. National Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, Suwon, Korea, 2007. (4) S. Takamatsu et al. Mycol. Res. 111:117, 2009.

Embolization of intracranial aneurysms with HydroSoft coils: results of the Korean multicenter study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Various modifications of detachable coils have been attempted to reduce recurrence rates in aneurysmal coil embolization and HydroSoft coil is one of them. The authors report their experience using HydroSoft coils in the treatment of cerebral aneurysms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study is a prospective multicenter observational series of 127 aneurysms in 120 patients treated with HydroSoft coils.

RESULTS

Ten centers participated in this study, and there were 92 (72%) unruptured and 35 ruptured aneurysms. Aneurysm volumes were ≥ 100 mm³ in 21 (17%) and < 100 mm³ in 106 (83%) (mean, 56 mm³; range, 5-249 mm³). The average percentage length of HydroSoft coils detached in treated aneurysms was 67% (range, 42%-100%). Immediate postprocedural angiography demonstrated complete aneurysm occlusion in 69% (87/127 aneurysms), residual neck in 20% (25/127), and residual sac in 12% (15/127). Procedure-related adverse events occurred in 4.7% (6/127 aneurysms), including procedural bleeding (5/127) and thromboembolism (2/127), and immediate procedure-related morbidity and mortality rates were 0.8% and 0%. Conventional angiography or MRA follow-up was performed in 83% (105/127) at ≥ 6 months after treatment (mean interval, 11 months; range, 6-24 months). The overall recanalization rate was 3% (3/105 aneurysms; 2 major and 1 minor recanalizations). Progression to complete aneurysmal occlusion was noted in 20 of 27 aneurysms (74%) during the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The safety profile of HydroSoft coils appears acceptable. In terms of initial occlusion rates and durability, embolization by using HydroSoft coils seems to be favorable compared with most large series of pure platinum or coated coils.

Physical activity status and postprandial lipaemia in older adults

Physical activity-induced lowering of postprandial lipaemia is short-lived. However, little is known regarding the role of physical activity status on postprandial lipaemia. The purpose of the present study was to compare postprandial triacylglycerol concentrations in active and inactive older adults. A total of 26 older adults (aged 69.8±0.9 years, mean±SEM; 10 male and 16 female) were analysed in a cross-sectional design. Based on accelerometer data, participants were divided into either the active group (≥150 min/week of moderate-intensity physical activity, N=15) or the inactive group (<150 min/week of moderate-intensity physical activity, N=11). After a 48-h period of physical activity avoidance and a 10-h overnight fast, participants consumed a test meal of moderate fat content (35%). Capillary blood samples were collected in the fasted state and at 2, 4, and 6 h postprandially. After adjusting for fasting triacylglycerol concentrations, body mass, body mass index and waist circumference, postprandial capillary triacylglycerol concentrations were significantly lower in the active than inactive group ( P=0.046). These findings demonstrate that regular physical activity lowers postprandial lipaemia independent of the acute effects of physical activity in older adults.

Knowledge and perceptions regarding oral and pharyngeal carcinoma among adult dental patients

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to assess awareness and knowledge of oral and pharyngeal carcinoma and risk perception for developing the cancer among adult patients attending a major dental centre in Perth. Influence of socio-demographic factors on awareness, knowledge and perception was ascertained.

METHODS

A random sample of 120 potential participants over the age of 18 who attended the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia between 14 and 18 June 2010 were invited to participate in the survey. A total of 100 participants completed a face-to-face interview guided by a questionnaire.

RESULTS

Seventy-two per cent of the participants had heard of oral and pharyngeal carcinoma. Sixteen per cent knew that both smoking and drinking increased the risk of oral and pharyngeal carcinoma and 49% knew at least one sign or symptom of the cancer. Language spoken at home, education, and employment influenced cancer awareness and knowledge. Sixty-two per cent of the participants considered themselves not at risk of developing the cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that knowledge concerning oral and pharyngeal carcinoma in the community may be limited and educational strategies may be required to improve such knowledge.

Determination of tadalafil and N-desmethylsibutramine in health and dietary supplements using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Q-TOF MS)

The adulteration of dietary supplements with drugs is potentially dangerous for human health. In this study, a method was used to test simultaneously for the presence of three synthetic PDE-5 inhibitors (sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil), and sibutramine and its two major metabolites (N-desmethylsibutramine and N-didesmethylsibutramine) using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Q-TOF MS) in dietary supplements. This approach with UPLC/Q-TOF MS uses the high accurate mass of six compounds for identification and has a short run time. The recovery was from 87% to 113%; precision was less than 12.8%. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were from 0.4 to 2.0 µg kg(-1) and from 1.3 to 6.0 µg kg(-1), respectively. This method allows easy and fast analysis and detection of diverse adulterants.

Dietary combination effects of conjugated linoleic acid and flaxseed or fish oil on the concentration of linoleic and arachidonic acid in poultry meat

This study was conducted to determine the effects of the combination of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and n-3 fatty acids on the linoleic acid (C18:2n-6) and arachidonic acid (C20:4n-6) concentrations of broiler chicken breast and thigh muscles. One hundred and twenty broilers were raised to 6 wk of age. All chicks were fed a basal corn-soybean meal diet containing 5 different fat sources at an inclusion level of 2% total fat: 1) CLA, 2) flaxseed oil, 3) menhaden fish oil, 4) CLA and flaxseed oil, and 5) CLA and menhaden fish oil. Eight broilers from each treatment were processed at 4 and 6 wk of age. Breast and thigh muscle samples were collected and analyzed for total fat content and fatty acid composition. The results showed that broilers from the CLA and fish oil treatment had lower arachidonic acid concentrations in both breast and thigh muscles than those fed the flaxseed oil diet or the CLA and flaxseed oil diet (P < 0.05). The arachidonic acid concentration and n-6:n-3 ratio of breast and thigh samples from the menhaden fish oil diet were similar to those of the CLA and fish oil diet (P > 0.05), but the inclusion of linoleic acid into chicken thigh muscles of broilers fed the CLA and menhaden fish oil diet improved significantly when compared with that of the diet containing menhaden fish oil only. Thus, the combination of CLA and menhaden fish oil is recommended to reduce the concentrations of linoleic and arachidonic acids in broiler chicken breast and thigh muscles.

Periodically changing morphology of the growth interface in Si, Ge, and GaP nanowires

Nanowire growth in the standard <111> direction is assumed to occur at a planar catalyst-nanowire interface, but recent reports contradict this picture. Here we show that a nonplanar growth interface is, in fact, a general phenomenon. Both III-V and group IV nanowires show a distinct region at the trijunction with a different orientation whose size oscillates during growth, synchronized with step flow. We develop an explicit model for this structure that agrees well with experiment and shows that the oscillations provide a direct visualization of catalyst supersaturation. We discuss the implications for wire growth and structure.

Multi walled carbon nanotube nanocomposites with biodegradable poly(butylene succinate) and their physical characteristics

In order to examine the influence of multi walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) on physical properties of its biodegradable polymer nanocomposite, biodegradable poly(buthylene succinate) (PBS), which was synthesized from diols and dicarboxylic acids, and MWNT nanocomposites were prepared via a melt-mixing method using a co-rotating intermeshing twin screw extruder. Microstructure of the PBS/MWNT nanocomposites and MWNT were investigated via both scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Their rheological properties were also characterized via rotation and oscillation tests using a rotational rheometer with parallel-plate geometry. It was found that shear viscosity, storage modulus and loss modulus of the nanocomposites examined by a rotational rheometer increased with the MWNT content. Especially their sharp increase for MWNT content of ca. 2.0 wt% was observed, indicating its percolation threshold from the rheological viewpoint which was higher than its electrical percolation threshold (1.0 wt%).

Impact of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease on microalbuminuria in patients with prediabetes and diabetes

BACKGROUND

It is unknown whether microalbuminuria is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among patients with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). This study investigated the association of NAFLD with microalbuminuria among patients with prediabetes and diabetes.

METHODS

We evaluated 1361 subjects who had an abnormal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) on routine screening. All participants were divided into two groups, prediabetes and newly diagnosed type 2 DM, and the association of NAFLD with metabolic parameters on microalbuminuria was analysed.

RESULTS

The patients with NAFLD had higher prevalence rates of microalbuminuria (6.3% vs 19%; P = 0.001 in prediabetes, 4.5% vs 32.6%; P < 0.001 in diabetes) and also had a greater albumin-to-creatinine ratio (14.6 +/- 52.0 microg/mg Cr vs 27.7 +/- 63.9 microg/mg Cr; P = 0.051 in prediabetes, 11.4 +/- 21.4 microg/mg Cr vs 44.7 +/- 76.4 microg/mg Cr; P < 0.001 in diabetes) than those without NAFLD. The logistic regression analysis showed that NAFLD was associated with increased rates of microalbuminuria (odds ratio 3.66; 95%confidence interval (CI) 1.31-10.20, P = 0.013 in prediabetes, odds ratio 5.47;95% CI 1.01-29.61, P = 0.048 in diabetes), independently of age, sex, body mass index, waist circumference, liver enzymes, lipid profiles, HbA1c, insulin resistance as estimated by homeostasis model assessment, hypertension,smoking status and the metabolic syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study revealed a strong relationship between microalbuminuria and NAFLD in the patients with prediabetes and newly diagnosed diabetes. Further studies are required to confirm whether NAFLD is a predictor of the development of microalbuminuria in patients with prediabetes and diabetes.

Prevalence of gastric and duodenal polyps and risk factors for duodenal neoplasm in korean patients with familial adenomatous polyposis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The prevalence of gastric polyps, duodenal adenoma and duodenal cancer has been reported as being high among familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients, but there have been no reports of this association in Korea. This study evaluated the prevalence of gastric and duodenal polyps and risk factors for duodenal neoplasm in FAP patients in Korea.

METHODS

We reviewed both initial and follow-up endoscopic results from FAP patients. We also investigated the treatment modality of duodenal adenomas and analyzed the risk factors of duodenal neoplasms by logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 148 patients with FAP underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), and the fi ndings were as follows: gastric polyp 39.9% (fundic gland polyp 25.7% and gastric adenoma 14.2%), duodenal adenoma 15.5%, gastric cancer 2.7%, and duodenal cancer 0.7%. There were two cases of gastric cancer that developed from benign gastric polyps. There were progressions of duodenal adenomatosis during follow-up, and some degree of relapse occurred after endoscopic resection. Patients with gastric polyps showed a correlation with the occurrence of duodenal neoplasm (odds ratio, 2.814; p=0.024).

CONCLUSIONS

In Korean FAP patients, gastric cancer was detected more frequently, but fundic gland polyps, duodenal adenoma and duodenal cancer were detected less frequently than in Western patients. FAP patients with gastric polyps should undergo regular EGD, particularly for the early detection of duodenal neoplasia.

Childhood obesity in ambulatory children and adolescents with spastic cerebral palsy in Korea

OBJECTIVE

Childhood obesity is an emerging health issue in Korea. We investigated the prevalence of obesity and its trend over time in ambulatory Korean children with CP.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1,397 children with CP between 1995 and 2008. The data were grouped into 4 time periods (1995-1997, 1998-2002, 2003-2004 and 2005-2008). The prevalence of obesity over each period and its relationship to gender, birth weight, age, and gross motor function classification system were investigated.

RESULTS

The percentage of obese children was 5.8%, overweight children 11.2%, and underweight children 10.4%. The prevalence of obesity significantly increased from the first time period to the third time period. The prevalence of obesity found in our study was significantly lower than the report from the U.S.A. during same time period between 1994 and 2004 (p<0.05). The prevalence of obesity significantly decreased with age as well.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of obesity in our subjects significantly increased and has reached a plateau in recent years. Compared to the prevalence of childhood obesity in ambulatory individuals with CP in the U.S.A. study, the prevalence in our study was significantly lower.

Effectiveness of slow freezing and vitrification for long-term preservation of mouse ovarian tissue

This study was conducted to evaluate the interaction between cryo-damage and ART outcome after cryopreservation of mouse ovarian tissues with different methods. Either a vitrification or a slow freezing was employed for the cryopreservation of B6CBAF1 mouse ovaries and follicle growth and the preimplantation development of intrafollicular oocytes following parthenogenesis or IVF were monitored. Both cryopreservation protocols caused significant damage to follicle components, including vacuole formation and mitochondrial deformities. Regardless of the cryopreservation protocols employed, a sharp (P < 0.0001) decrease in follicle viability and post-thaw growth was detected. When IVF program was employed, significant (P < 0.05) decrease in cleavage and blastocyst formation was notable in both modes of cryopreservation. However, such retardation was not found when oocytes were parthenogenetically activated. In the IVF oocytes, slow freezing led to better development than vitrification. In conclusion, a close relationship between cryopreservation and ART methods should be considered for the selection of cryopreservation program.

Effects of multistrain probiotic-containing yogurt on second-line triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The adjuvant effects of probiotic-containing yogurt on second-line triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection have not been evaluated.

METHODS

A total of 337 patients with persistent H. pylori infection, after first-line triple therapy, were randomly assigned to receive either triple therapy with (yogurt group, n=151) or without (control group, n=186) Will yogurt. Triple therapy consisted of 400 mg moxifloxacin q.d., 1000 mg amoxicillin b.i.d., and 20 mg esomeprazole b.i.d. for 14 days. Will yogurt contains Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium longum, and Streptococcus thermophilus. H. pylori eradication was evaluated by the (13)C-urea breath test, histology, or the rapid urease test.

RESULTS

The eradication rates by intention-to-treat analysis were 66.7% and 68.9% in the control and yogurt groups, respectively (P=0.667). The eradication rates by per-protocol analysis were 78.5% and 86% in the control and the yogurt groups, respectively (P=0.110). The adverse event rates were 25.3% and 28.5% in the control group and yogurt group, respectively (P=0.508).

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of yogurt containing probiotics to moxifloxacin-containing second-line treatment neither improved H. pylori eradication rates nor reduced the adverse events of treatment.

Abstract P6-08-04: AP-1 Activation and a Functional SNP242 Regulate the LY-6K Gene Expression in Human Breast Cancer Cells

Background: Lymphocyte antigen 6 complex locus K(LY-6K), a member of cancer-testis antigen, is a novel breast cancer biomarker. Elevated LY-6K induces cell invasion and metastasis through activating the Raf-1/MEK/ERK signaling pathway. And in a previous study, breast cancer patients have single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) within promoter of LY-6K. However, the molecular mechanisms that mediate regulation of human LY-6K gene expression are completely unknown. Material and Methods: The human breast carcinoma cells used in these studies include the MCF7 and adriamycin resistant MCF7. Within the pGL3 reporter vector, the -3050/+182 bp fragment and truncated fragment (deleted from -500 to -1 bp and from -1550 to -1050 bp) upstream of the LY-6K gene was subcloned and measured promoter activity. Next, multiple cis elements were identified using several gene tool software (TFSEARCH, TRANSFAC, PROMO and MATCHTM) in the promoter of human LY-6K gene. Substitution of two base pair of transcription factor binding site or single base pair of SNP was subcloned within pGL3 vector using site-directed mutagenesis and measured transcriptional activity. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and supershift assays were used to demonstrate in vitro interactions between the transcription factor and transcription factor binding site within the promoter of LY-6K.

Results: We found that a novel AP-1 binding site in the LY-6K promoter. The substitution from C to G at the 242 nucleotide position in the promoter region is a functional LY-6K single nucleotide polymorphism (called SNP242), which increase AP-1 transcription binding affinity to LY-6K promoter. Ongoing studies are investigating to identify the relationship between LY-6K transcription and SNP756 which located at the 756 nucleotide position within LY-6K promoter and to find binding partner of LY-6K. We are also manipulating LY-6K transgenic mouse and knock-out mouse to investigate the mechanism of LY-6K in vivo. Discussion: The activity of the AP-1 transcription factor plays an important role in cell mobility of breast cancer cells via the promoting of LY-6K gene expression. LY-6K expression is dependent on not AP-1 transcription factor, but also SNP242 G allele by increasing AP-1 binding affinity. We demonstrated that metastasis of breast cancer cells depend on LY-6K expression turn on ERK signaling. These results suggested that LY-6K SNP242 G allele increases the risk of cancer and metastasis and LY-6K communicate with integrin-GPCR to cell migration via activating Ras/ERK signaling pathway.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-08-04.

Induction of apoptosis by the ginsenoside Rh2 by internalization of lipid rafts and caveolae and inactivation of Akt

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Lipid rafts and caveolae are membrane microdomains with important roles in cell survival signalling involving the Akt pathway. Cholesterol is important for the structure and function of these microdomains. The ginsenoside Rh2 exhibits anti-tumour activity. Because Rh2 is structurally similar to cholesterol, we investigated the possibility that Rh2 exerted its anti-tumour effect by modulating rafts and caveolae.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

A431 cells (human epidermoid carcinoma cell line) were treated with Rh2 and the effects on cell apoptosis, raft localization and Akt activation measured. We also examined the effects of over-expression of Akt and active-Akt on Rh2-induced cell death.

KEY RESULTS

Rh2 induced apoptosis concentration- and time-dependently. Rh2 reduced the levels of rafts and caveolae in the plasma membrane and increased their internalization. Furthermore, Akt activity was decreased and consequently, Akt-dependent phosphorylation of Bad, a pro-survival protein, was decreased whereas the pro-apoptotic proteins, Bim and Bax, were increased upon Rh2 treatment. Unlike microdomain internalization induce by cholesterol depletion, Rh2-mediated internalization of rafts and caveolae was not reversed by cholesterol addition. Also, cholesterol addition did not restore Akt activation or rescue cells from Rh2-induced cell death. Rh2-induced cell death was attenuated in MDA-MB-231 cells over-expressing either wild-type or dominant-active Akt.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Rh2 induced internalization of rafts and caveolae, leading to Akt inactivation, and ultimately apoptosis. Because elevated levels of membrane rafts and caveolae, and Akt activation have been correlated with cancer development, internalization of these microdomains by Rh2 could potentially be used as an anti-cancer therapy.

Combined effect of socioeconomic status, viral hepatitis, and lifestyles on hepatocelluar carcinoma risk in Korea

Background:

The independent and combined effects of socioeconomic status (SES), viral hepatitis, and other lifestyle factors on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk have not been investigated among Koreans.

Methods:

From the National Cancer Center Hospital, 207 HCC cases and 828 age- and gender-matched controls aged 30 years or older were recruited. Socio-demographic and behavioural risk factors were ascertained through personal interview, and infection with hepatitis B and C viruses was determined by their serologic markers. Multivariate logistic regression and synergy index methods were applied for statistical analysis.

Results:

HB surface antigen (HbsAg) and anti-HCV-positive rates were 149.3 and 185.1 times higher in cases than controls, respectively. Lifetime alcohol consumption (odds ratio: 2.96, 95% CI: 1.29–6.79), cigarette smoking (OR: 3.53, 95% CI: 1.31–9.52), and family income (OR: 17.07, 95% CI: 4.27–68.25) were independently associated with the risk of HCC in subjects with or without viral hepatitis. Synergistic interaction on HCC risk was observed between low income and HBsAg positivity (SI: 3.12, 95% CI: 1.51–6.47) and between low income and heavy alcohol intake (SI: 2.93, 95% CI: 1.24–6.89).

Conclusion:

The inverse association with SES suggests SES as an independent and synergistic predictor of HCC. Heavy alcohol intake also showed a combined effect with low SES on HCC risk.

Caudal epidural block in children: comparison of needle insertion parallel with caudal canal versus conventional two-step technique

This study compared the technique of inserting the needle for caudal epidural blockade in a single pass parallel to the caudal canal versus the conventional technique of approaching the caudal canal with the needle at a steeper angle. Seventy-five patients, aged 0 to 72 months, scheduled for urological surgery were prospectively enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: a conventional method group (caudal block performed with conventional needle insertion, n=40) and a new method group (needle inserted into the skin at an angle of 200 and into the caudal space without redirection, n=35). Two anaesthetists (A, B) performed the caudal blocks. For anaesthetist A, the mean time required (standard deviation) to perform needle insertion in the conventional method group was 2.2 (0.8) minutes and in the new method group 1.1 (0.7) minutes (P = 0.03). For anaesthetist B the mean time (standard deviation) to perform needle insertion in the conventional method group was 2.1 (1.1) minutes and in the new method group 1.3 (0.8) minutes (P = 0.04). Successful block was considered as first pass placement of the needle in the caudal canal confirmed (after placement) by ultrasound imaging, and the absence of a bloody tap. Subcutaneous placement of the needle after the first attempt occurred in two cases in the conventional method group and three cases in the new method group. Bloody tap occurred in four cases, all in the conventional method group and none in the new method group. When required, the second pass was successful in all cases.

Degradation of diethyl phthalate in treated effluents from an MBR via advanced oxidation processes: effects of nitrate on oxidation and a pilot-scale AOP operation

The major objective of this study was to delineate the oxidation of diethyl phthalate (DEP) in water, using bench-scale UV/H2O2 and O3/H2O2 processes, and to determine the effects of nitrate (NO(3-)-N, 5 mg L(-1)) on this oxidation. The oxidation of DEP was also investigated through a pilot-scale advanced oxidation process (AOP), into which a portion of the effluent from a pilot-scale membrane bioreactor (MBR) plant was pumped. The bench-scale operation showed that DEP could be oxidized via solely UV oxidation or O3 oxidation. The adverse effect of nitrate on the DEP oxidation was remarkable in the UV/H2O2 process, and the nitrate clearly reduced its oxidation. The adverse effect of nitrate on O3 oxidation was also observed. It was noted, however, that the nitrate clearly enhanced the DEP oxidation in the O3/H2O2 process. A series of pilot-scale AOP operations indicated that the addition of H2O2 enhanced DEP oxidation in both the UV/H2O2 and O3/H2O2 processes. No noticeable adverse effect of nitrate was observed in the NO(3-)-N concentration of about 6.0 mg L(-1), which was naturally contained in the treatment stream. About 52% and 61% of the DEP were oxidized by each of these two oxidation processes in this pilot-scale operation. Both the UV/H2O2 and O3/H2O2 processes appeared to be desirable alternatives for DEP oxidation in treatment effluent streams.

Ambivalent role of gallated catechins in glucose tolerance in humans: a novel insight into non-absorbable gallated catechin-derived inhibitors of glucose absorption

Prolonged postprandial hyperglycemia is a detrimental factor for type 2 diabetes and obesity. The benefit of green tea extract (GTE) consumption still requires confirmation. We report the effects of circulating green tea catechins on blood glucose and insulin levels. Oral glucose loading 1 h after GTE ingestion in humans led to higher blood glucose and insulin levels than in control subjects. Gallated catechins were required for these effects, although within the intestinal lumen they have been known to decrease glucose and cholesterol absorption. Treatment with epigallocatechin-3-gallate hindered 2-deoxyglucose uptake into liver, fat, pancreatic beta-cell, and skeletal muscle cell lines. The glucose intolerance was ameliorated by gallated catechin-deficient GTE or GTE mixed with polyethylene glycol, which was used as an inhibitor of intestinal absorption of gallated catechins. These findings may suggest that the gallated catechin when it is in the circulation elevates blood glucose level by blocking normal glucose uptake into the tissues, resulting in secondary hyperinsulinemia, whereas it decreases glucose entry into the circulation when they are inside the intestinal lumen. These findings encourage the development of non-absorbable derivatives of gallated catechins for preventative treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity, which would specifically induce only the positive luminal effect.

Pharmacokinetics of prothionamide in patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis

SETTING

National Masan Tuberculosis Hospital, Masan, South Korea.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of prothionamide (PTH) in South Korean patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and to investigate whether differences in body mass index (BMI) could explain observed differences in PTH disposition.

DESIGN

Seventeen patients participated in the study; all had MDR-TB and had received combination anti-tuberculosis treatment, including PTH, cycloserine, ofloxacin, para-aminosalicylic acid and streptomycin or kanamycin, for at least 2 weeks. The patients were divided into two groups based on BMI: Group A (18.5 < or = BMI<23), and Group B (BMI<18.5). Serum samples were collected over 24 h, and the plasma PTH concentration was determined by a validated high-performance liquid chromatography assay.

RESULTS

After steady-state administration of PTH, the mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 to 12 h (AUC(0-12h)) was 11.0 +/- 3.7 microg h/ml. The mean T(max) and t(1/2) were respectively 3.6 h and 2.7 h. No significant difference in PTH disposition was observed between groups A and B, except for ke and t(1/2).

CONCLUSION

In the pharmacokinetic parameter estimates for PTH in MDR-TB patients during routine treatment, the pharmacokinetics of PTH did not appear to correlate with extent of emaciation in MDR-TB patients.

Morphological comparison of small nerve fibres in gastric mucosa in non-diabetic and Type 2 diabetic subjects

AIM

To determine changes in small nerve fibres in gastric mucosa in patients with Type 2 diabetes by morphological observation.

METHODS

In twenty-five non-diabetic and 21 Type 2 diabetic participants, gastric mucosal biopsy under endoscopy was performed. Innervation in gastric mucosa was detected using immunohistochemical staining. Anti-protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 positive nerves underwent morphological observation and quantitative analysis.

RESULTS

Small nerve fibres in gastric mucosa were shortened in the diabetic subjects. The ratio of gastric mucosal protrusions maintaining nerve fibres between gastric pits to total observed protrusions was lower in patients with Type 2 diabetes compared with the non-diabetic subjects (ratio of innervated protrusion/total protrusion: 0.49 +/- 0.12 vs. 0.89 +/- 0.06, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study sets the scene for further research to investigate the relationship between gastric mucosal nerves and autonomic neuropathy or diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Change of insulin sensitivity in hepatitis C patients with normal insulin sensitivity: a 5-year prospective follow-up study variation of insulin sensitivity in HCV patients

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM). Insulin resistance (IR) is known to play a crucial role in the development of DM in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. We prospectively investigated changes of insulin sensitivity in CHC patients during a 5-year period and analysed the factors significantly associated with IR.

METHODS

Sixty-two CHC patients with normal insulin sensitivity (CHC group), and a healthy control group of 172 subjects matched by age, gender, body mass index and lifestyles were studied. We compared the initial baseline insulin sensitivity, metabolic parameters and incidence of IR at the end of the follow-up period between the two groups. The changes in insulin sensitivity, metabolic parameters and the development of IR were analysed as well as factors associated with the development of IR.

RESULTS

IR developed in 22.5% of 62 CHC patients and 5.2% of 172 normal individuals (P < 0.001). HCV infection per se and the genotype 1 were independent risk factors for the development of IR. The duration of infection > or = 120 months, initial fasting glucose 90-100 mg/dL, fasting insulin > or = 10 microIU/mL and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) 2.3-2.7 were significantly associated with the development of IR in the CHC group.

CONCLUSION

HCV infection was an independent risk factor for the development of IR. All CHC patients, even those with normal insulin sensitivity, require careful monitoring for the development of IR.

Video-based self-assessment: implementation and evaluation in an undergraduate nursing course

This research was performed to investigate the effects of video-based self-assessment on the ability of nursing students to accurately measure vital signs, their communication skills, and their satisfaction. This research was conducted between March 2007 and June 2007 as a quasi-experimental control-group, pretest-posttest design. The study population was composed of 40 second-year student nurses who enrolled in a fundamentals of nursing course of a college of nursing, Ajou University in Korea. Results of the research indicate that there was a statistically significant difference in exam scores for assessing long-term memory video-review group demonstrating higher scores. Student satisfaction was also significantly higher in the video-review group than in the control group. These results may suggest video-based self-assessment is a beneficial and effective instructional method of training undergraduate nursing students to develop awareness of their strengths and weaknesses, and to improve their clinical and communication skills.

Impact of hypertension on coronary artery spasm as assessed with intracoronary acetylcholine provocation test

Both hypertension and coronary artery spasm (CAS) are associated with endothelial dysfunction. Thus, a higher incidence of CAS is expected in hypertensive patients. We evaluated the impact of hypertension on CAS with intracoronary acetylcholine (ACh) provocation test. A total of 986 patients (685 hypertensive patients vs 301 normotensive patients) who underwent coronary angiography with ACh provocation test were enrolled. ACh was injected into the left coronary artery in incremental doses of 20, 50 and 100 microg min(-1). Significant CAS was defined as a transient >70% luminal narrowing with concurrent chest pain and/or ST-segment changes. Although the incidences of significant ACh-induced CAS were similar between hypertensive and normotensive patients (35.8 vs 39.2%, P=0.303), multivariate logistic analysis showed that hypertension was negatively associated with ACh-induced CAS (odds ratio: 0.70, 95% confidence interval: 0.51-0.94, P=0.020). The angiographic characteristics of ACh-induced CAS were similar between these two groups. Subgroup analysis regarding the impact of the status of blood pressure control on CAS showed that hypertensive patients with controlled blood pressure had a significantly higher incidence of CAS than those with uncontrolled blood pressure (45.2 vs 27.9%, P<0.001), and that uncontrolled blood pressure was negatively associated with ACh-induced CAS (odds ratio: 0.56, 95% confidence interval: 0.40-0.79, P=0.001). In conclusion, despite the expected endothelial dysfunction, hypertension and uncontrolled blood pressure are negatively associated with CAS, suggesting that the mechanisms and risk factors of CAS may be significantly different from those of coronary artery disease.

Interaction of galectin-1 with caveolae induces mouse embryonic stem cell proliferation through the Src, ERas, Akt and mTOR signaling pathways

Galectins have the potential to provide a promising alternative for unveiling the complexity of embryonic stem (ES) cell self-renewal, although the mechanism by which galectins maintain ES cell self-renewal has yet to be identified. Galectin-1 increased [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation as well as cyclin expression and decreased p27(kip1) expression. Src and caveolin-1 phosphorylation was increased by galectin-1, and phospho-caveolin-1 was inhibited by PP2. In addition, inhibition of caveolin-1 by small interfering RNA and methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (Mbeta-CD) decreased galectin-1-induced cyclin expression and [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation. Galectin-1 caused Akt and mTOR phosphorylation, which is involved in cyclin expression. Galectin-1-induced phospho-Akt and -mTOR was inhibited by PP2, ERas siRNA, caveolin-1 siRNA and Mbeta-CD. Furthermore, mTOR phosphorylation was decreased by LY294002 and Akt inhibitor. Galectin-1-induced increase in cyclin expression and decrease in p27(kip1) was blocked by Akt inhibitor and rapamycin. In conclusion, galectin-1 increased DNA synthesis in mouse ES cells via Src, caveolin-1 Akt, and mTOR signaling pathways.

The anti-inflammatory non-antibiotic helper compound diclofenac: an antibacterial drug target

Diclofenac sodium (Dc) was found to possess antibacterial activity against both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Mycobacterium spp., in addition to its potent anti-inflammatory activity. The time-kill curve study indicates that this non-steroidal drug exhibits bactericidal activity against Listeria, E. coli, and M. tuberculosis. The antibacterial activity of Dc comes, in part, from its ability to inhibit the DNA synthesis of E. coli and L. monocytogenes. Dc could protect murine listeriosis, salmonellosis, and tuberculosis at doses ranged within its maximum recommended human or non-toxic ex-vivo dose. Dc possesses anti-plasmid activity and acts as a 'helper compound' in synergistic combination with streptomycin against E. coli and Mycobacterium or gentamicin against Listeria. This review focuses on the possible use of Dc, a non-antibiotic helper compound, in infections and inflammatory conditions, rationalized on the basis of the activities of the compounds.

Herpes zoster duplex bilateralis in a patient with breast cancer

The skin lesion of herpes zoster is classically limited to a single dermatome, and most cases of multi-dermatomal herpes zoster have contiguous skin lesions. Noncontigous multi-dermatomal herpes zoster is very rare in both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed persons. The phenomenon of zoster occurring in two non-contiguous dermatomes has been referred to as zoster duplex unilateralis or bilateralis. We report here on a case of herpes zoster duplex bilateralis in a 49-year-old woman who had previously received chemotherapy for breast cancer treatment.

[cDNA cloning and analysis of tissue-specific gene expression of rat urocortin II]

The corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) family of neuropeptides includes CRH (a 41 amino acid hypothalamic peptide) and urocortin. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), a peptide first isolated from mammalian, plays an important role in the regulation of the pituitary-adrenal axis, and in endocrine, autonomic, immune and behavioral responses to stress. In this study we cloned rat urocortin II (UCNII) cDNA from rat mid-brain by RT-PCR. The rat UCNII clone contained an open reading frame (ORF) coding 109 amino acids which shared 90% and 63% homology with mouse and human homologues, respectively, The expression of UCN HII mRNA is mainly distributed in bone marrow, ovary, uterus, hypophysis, adrenal gland, and skin. In this study, rat recombinant UCN was expressed in E. coli and purified in active form. Furthermore, purified recombinant UCN II protein specifically binds to CRF receptor 2 in rat ROS 17/2.8 and GH3 cells by flow-cytometry analysis. UCN II cDNA clone obtained in this study will be useful for further investigation on behavioral responses to stress in rats.